Abstract
Stratigraphic formations, namely, Asu River, Ezeaku, Awgu and Nkporo Groups; belonging to Albian, Turonian, Coniacian and Campanian ages, respectively, underlie the studied region. The formations are dominated by groundwater problematic clastic sediments. This study is aimed at tracing fracture zones for groundwater prospects and delineating hydrological catchments for the watershed management strategy. It commenced with analyses of aeromagnetic and edge enhanced band 5 Landsat 7 ETM+ data, with application of filters like reduction to equator (RTE), first vertical derivatives (1VD), total horizontal gradient (THG) and analytical signal. The THG of the RTE grids was combined with the edge enhanced Landsat data and utilized on-screen lineament discriminations. Results showed igneous intrusive representative lineaments in Asu River Group. Lineaments pinpointing ferruginous structures like ironstones stained the Nkporo Group. Further applications of edge enhanced filters delineated lineaments as river beds, fractures/fault nodes and fold axes. The lineaments trending NW–SE depict fracture axes and river beds, whereas those trending NE–SW represent axial anticlines. Validation of results with electrical sounding verified the relevance of outcropping fractures as conduits through which groundwater discharges from the shallow water table at the northwestern hill range region; producing fluvial systems like river tributaries/catchments. Conversely, the rivers recharge the groundwater via fracture linking to deeper water table downstream.
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